Fiber-optic Acceleration Sensor with Lever Arm and Disturbance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber-optic acceleration sensors face challenges in accurately detecting accelerations due to sensitivity to temperature fluctuations and mechanical disturbances, which affect measurement accuracy and require complex designs to achieve precise sensitivity and range configurations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a frame, a mass, a lever arm connected to the mass, and an optical fiber with a fiber optic sensor, along with a disturbance compensation element, allows for decoupling of elements to reduce temperature-related interference and adjust sensitivity and resonance frequency, enabling precise acceleration detection in multiple spatial directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiber-optic sensors are used to detect acceleration, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity to temperature fluctuations causes measurement accuracy to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent measurement channels: one for acceleration detection and one for temperature compensation. The acceleration channel measures the target acceleration, while the temperature channel specifically measures temperature-induced disturbances. By segmenting the measurement functions, the system can separately compensate for temperature effects without interfering with acceleration measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A second optical fiber acts as an intermediary temperature sensor that does not directly measure acceleration but provides temperature data used to compensate for temperature-induced errors in the primary acceleration measurement. This intermediary element enables the system to isolate and correct temperature effects while maintaining accurate acceleration detection.
2Measurement precision
If fiber-optic acceleration sensors are manufactured with specific sensitivity and range configurations, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the acceleration sensor element and the temperature compensation sensor element. By making the optical fiber multi-functional, the system achieves accurate acceleration measurement with temperature compensation without adding separate complex sensing mechanisms, thus improving measurement accuracy while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses software-based parameter adjustment to configure different sensitivity and measurement range settings. Instead of manufacturing different hardware configurations for different applications, the same physical device can be programmed with different measurement parameters, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining measurement accuracy across various application requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are mechanically connected to detect acceleration in multiple directions, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple acceleration sensors and temperature compensation sensors are integrated into a single combined device housing. The sensors are arranged in a compact configuration where they share common structural elements and can be assembled as one unit rather than separate components, enabling multi-directional measurement capability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances measurement accuracy by reducing temperature-induced errors and allowing adjustable sensitivity and resonance frequency, facilitating simpler and more precise manufacturing of multi-dimensional acceleration sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor elements integrated into fiber sensors are irradiated with optical radiation in a suitable wavelength range. Depending on the design of the sensor element and the mechanical force acting on it, a portion of the incident light is reflected and/or transmitted by the sensor and can be fed to an evaluation and analysis unit. The applied force stretches the optical fiber, and a reflection or transmission wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating changes.
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the incident light is reflected and/or transmitted by the sensor and can be fed to an evaluation and analysis unit
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B~3C
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for detecting acceleration. The device contains: a frame; a mass; a lever arm connected to the mass, wherein the mass is provided at a first lever position; an optical fiber having a fiber-optic sensor; and a compensation element for disturbance variables, wherein the compensation element for disturbance variables is connected to the lever arm or the mass and wherein the compensation element for disturbance variables is connected to the frame.